UturnGirl tries again for better job

Wow i didn't know they're pay was that pre historic! I thought everyone in the omaha area except werner was at or close to 65 cpm to start.

 

that's my job! LOL

 

The fact that you are still employed is a plus. Something will come along eventually. Keep us posted.

 

I would have thought it Been
higher. My base is 40cpm plus 11cpm per diem plus 6cpm for OTR fleet for a total of 57cpm. I didn't mention quarterly bonus up to $1k plus for hitting mileage (30 k), safety which ties in with mileage, 100 percent on time with deliveries, 90 percent following fuel solution. Competitive, if not great. Still, the culture is terrific. You really can't put a price on that.

George

 

Must be a new recruiter. I remember I put my app in online at 2am in the morning, by 8am they had me on the phone. My recruiter was Jason. Sadly, I think he has gone. He was awesome!

 

Apparently good recruiters are rare. Experienced this myself calling around feeling out the industry. Of the ten companies i spoke with, all claiming an immediate need, driver training available and/or hiring new drivers only three were professional. #1 - GPTransco and Millis and #2 - a local business owner with his own authority. I guess i should add Schneider as #3 as i did at least get an email a month later expressing interest. But with automated systems i highly doubt there was a human involved in that process.

I understand a recruiter is typically nothing more than a Customer Service Rep that companies hire to field a bunch of bat poop crazy calls but they are every bit as important as a good dispatcher as the face of the company and in procuring new talent. Make no mistake, as a professional driver you deserve to be professionally recruited! Much like healthcare providers having their credentials, patient outcomes & infection rates scrutinized so to does a commercial driver. I have been scrutinized more as a driver starting out more than any other job i have ever worked at except possibly law enforcement.

Speaking of the Upper Midwest specifically what companies advertise seemingly doesn't equate to what they actually pay. While i don't have the experience to negotiate squat starting out in trucking I'm well versed in Manufacturing and Healthcare. Unless it's a Union Contract, negotiations are always open even up to turning down a position for more favorable terms and getting a call back a week later accepting your terms.

Pay seems to be one of those things that most workers have a misconception of probably because people like to brag so much about how much they are (aren't) making? In my experience it's much easier to obtain something outside of wages set by budgets or healthcare, set by budget and plans well researched. Now that's not to say a hiring manager isn't trying to low ball you. Without venues like these forums it's near impossible to discover prevailing wages for your experience at the company you target. 10% was my rule of thumb if you knew what the company paid and they were desperate. .60 cents per mile+.6=.66. Pretty close to what Bzinger pointed out. It's crazy how the world is ran by percentages. it's like they teach that in business school.

If you have to advertise on your company trailers .70 or .80 cents a mile and home every night. Why are you still having difficulties filling positions? Probably the same reason naive O/O's think they are really going to bank $4 a mile?

UTurnGirl, if .60 cpm is your floor and nothing else will compensate for that dollar amount you need, stay the course! Thank them for their time, maybe even a follow up email (which the recruiters boss might see?) thanking them for their time & consideration, turning down the job offer based upon why and to feel free to contact you again in the future if their business needs change.

I think one of the biggest things hosing good employers is that while they might not pay the best, they tend to listen to or care for their employees and offer superior healthcare. Employees that have healthcare barely understand their plans let alone trying to discover the true costs of a prospective employers plan. Every bit as important as cpm and something i don't see getting mentioned often, that's my 2cents

 

My buddy just got started with them and he's out on his own. From everything he tells me, it don't seem like they are any

I'm not so sure everyone is even at 60 cpm. I certainly am not lol. I think the trucking market is more of a range between 55 to 65. That is what I would want if I were searching. The ability to get miles is what will tell the story in my view.

 

Have you given any thought to going with one of those staffing companies that provide drivers to private carriers?
As many times as you've changed jobs you've more than proven that you have what it takes to onboard with a new company and fit in with their program. That could work in your favor.
A lot of drivers go with staffing companies and wind up working for one of the people they were temping for. It gives both sides a chance to evaluate the other.
You already know not to put much faith in recruiters.

 

Well I know if I were an otr company driver I wouldn't work for less than 65 cpm where I live unless there were some good Benny's to go with it.

 

I think the above is actually an excellent suggestion.

In earlier threads, Chinatown has posted the following staffing firm, as one option:

Trillium Staffing - Home

I see where they have offices across the US, so they should have some decent leads in the trucking sector.

--Lual